Reports of a
"How I Met Your Mother" spinoff have been kicking around for a couple of months, but it has mostly been vague talk about extending the franchise after the show ends in 2014. Now, though, the idea has apparently taken root at CBS.

The network and "HIMYM" producer 20th Century Fox TV are talking about a possible spinoff that's currently going by the title "How I Met Your Father,"
Deadline reports. "HIMYM" creators
Carter Bays and
Craig Thomas would executive produce along with
Emily Spivey ("Up All Night"), who has a deal at the studio.

The new show would follow a new group of friends but focus on a female lead and her search for the right guy. The idea is to introduce the new characters in McLaren's Pub -- the "HIMYM" gang's long-time hangout -- and follow them from there. Other than the location, there would be no on-screen link to the current show -- i.e., it's not a retelling of the "HIMYM" story from the Mother's (
Cristin Milioti) point of view.

"How I Met Your Mother" has been the bright spot in a softer-than-usual Monday night lineup for CBS thus far this fall. It's averaging 9.3 million viewers and a 3.8 rating among adults 18-49 through its first six episodes (both figures are a combination of Live +7 ratings and same-day numbers for the most recent episodes). Its 18-49 rating is more than half a point better than anything else the network airs on Mondays.